SPRING 2026 Lehigh ALUMNI BULLETIN Building What’s Next for Women’s Athletics page 26 From FirstYear Friends to Future Makers page 22 page 30 The Heartbeat of Campus: Clayton University Center at Packer Hall R1 Excellence Meet members of the Lehigh community driving research momentum forward in the first year since the university earned R1 status. Page 10
Spring brings renewed energy to South Mountain, and with it, tremendous momentum for Lehigh. This year, we received a record number of applications for the Class of 2030, with large growth in the domestic applicant pool. The new record tops the previous high, set in 2024, and is nearly 6% higher than the number of applications received last year. Talented students continue to see Lehigh as a place where rigorous academics, meaningful mentorship and innovative research converge. We’ve also seen remarkable enthusiasm for Explore Lehigh, our new first-semester program designed to introduce students to fields across all four of our undergraduate colleges. More than 400 students applied for a limited number of spots, a clear signal that interdisciplinary, exploratory pathways are in high demand. Today’s students are eager to think broadly, collaborate across disciplines and prepare for a changing world that values adaptability and innovation. Research at Lehigh is also accelerating at an extraordinary pace. Through our Inspiring the Future Makers strategy, we have committed to doubling research expenditures over the next decade, and our current trajectory affirms that these efforts are bearing remarkable fruit. In January, our final event in the 2025-26 Compelling Perspectives series welcomed Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple and technology entrepreneur, to campus. We engaged in a thoughtful, and at times humorous, discussion on the future of technology and the grassroots history of Apple. Previous guests this year included Arianna Huffington of Thrive Global and formerly of the Huffington Post, who shared how AI can enhance our health, and U.S. Senator Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania, who discussed the possibilities for the future of AI, specifically in Pennsylvania, while recognizing that this is a global competition. As interest in this series continues to grow, we will announce programming for the 2026–27 academic year in the coming months. Looking ahead, we are advancing key facilities and recreation initiatives that will enhance the student experience. Planning for a new undergraduate residence hall will continue through the summer, with the goal of opening by fall 2028. The new residence will be located between the Drinker and McClintic & Marshall residences, expanding our capacity to support a vibrant residential community. As we approach Commencement and reflect on the year’s achievements, I am deeply grateful for your continued engagement and support. Together, we are expanding opportunity, advancing discovery and strengthening our impact on our students, the region and the world. Joseph J. Helble ’82 President of Lehigh University SCAN TO WATCH PRESIDENT HELBLE’S VIDEO MESSAGE PRESIDENT’S LETTER Strengthening Our Impact
TABLE OF CONTENTS ON THE COVER: At Lehigh, students help tackle real-world challenges through hands-on research at an R1 university. Photo by Christa Neu 3 Pete Buttigieg Delivers Kenner Lecture The former U.S. Secretary of Transportation spoke about family, the future and finding common ground. 4 A Full Circle Journey The path from Iacocca Intern to bioengineering department faculty member has been transformative for Gorgi Pavlov ’14 Ph.D.’18. 6 Shaping the Future: AI, Humanity and Innovation Compelling Perspectives series speakers shared viewpoints on the challenges and possibilities of AI. 8 Four Questions with Steve Wozniak The Apple co-founder and Compelling Perspectives speaker discussed personal computing, engineering, AI and the rise of Apple. 10 R1 Excellence Get to know members of the Lehigh community who are accelerating research progress since the university achieved R1 status. 20 Adding AI to the Classroom Professor Ozias Moore used a GMAC report to bring AI into his management and leadership course. 22 The Heartbeat of Campus The recently renovated Clayton University Center at Packer Hall continues to foster community and collaboration through a variety of fresh spaces. 26 From First-Year Friends to Future Makers Julie Wright ’25 M’26 and Rhema Hooper ’26 built a friendship and a record of global impact through research, advocacy and community. 28 A Leg Up on the Competition Showing interest in entrepreneurship at a young age, Canaan Kimball ’26, a kicker on Lehigh’s football team, already runs two businesses. 30 Building What’s Next for Women’s Athletics With the women’s basketball and softball programs sustaining success, Lehigh looks to extend that momentum. 2 EDITOR’S LETTER 36 CLASS NOTES 59 IN REMEMBRANCE 64 ENDNOTE IN EVERY ISSUE LEHIGH UNIVERSITY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS 32 “Achieving R1 status is a significant milestone in the university’s growth and celebrates the brilliance and strength of individual and group research, and the depth and breadth of Lehigh’s research as a whole.” —Anand Jagota, vice provost for research, page 10 Lehigh Alumni Bulletin Vol. 111, No. 1, Spring 2026 EXECUTIVE EDITOR Kristen DiPrinzio EDITOR Lauren Thein DEPUTY EDITOR Stephen Gross STAFF WRITER Katie Clarke ART DIRECTOR Beth Murphy CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kyle Brett MA’15 Ph.D.’21, Emily Collins, Skye Cruz, Patty DeViva, Hayley Frerichs, Katie Jones, Brenda Lange, Colin McEvoy, Rob Nichols, Daniel Paulling, Margie Peterson, Abby Ryan, Stephen Wilson CLASS NOTES EDITOR Jessi McMullan ’05 CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kurt Hansen SENIOR DESIGNERS Kate Cassidy, Neha Kavan PHOTOGRAPHER Christa Neu VIDEOGRAPHER Dan Collins BUSINESS SUPPORT Traci Mindler Send class notes and remembrances to alumni@lehigh.edu or call (866) 758-2586 Email address changes to askrecords@lehigh.edu or send the mailing label, along with your new address, to Alumni Records/Lehigh University 306 S. New St., Suite 500, Bethlehem, PA 18015, (866) 517-1552 Lehigh University Communications and Public Affairs 516 Brodhead Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18015, (610) 758-4487 Email: communications@lehigh.edu Published three times a year by the Lehigh University Communications and Public Affairs Office, in cooperation with the Lehigh University Alumni Association Inc. Facebook.com/lehighu Facebook.com/lehighalumni Instagram.com/lehighu Instagram.com/lehighalumni youtube.com/lehighu linkedin.com Alumni offer words of wisdom to the Class of 2026 in this issue’s Squawk column.
2 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN As part of the feature story about the reimagined Clayton University Center at Packer Hall (page 22), I had the pleasure of spending some extended time exploring the beautifully renovated building, taking in the rich history of the iconic heart of campus and also witnessing the many ways it is supporting the Lehigh community. Every space was filled with energy, vibrancy and focus. Students studied and brainstormed ideas on dry erase boards in the meeting rooms, coworkers caught up over lunch in the dining spaces and friends gathered for a game of table tennis in the Great Room. I had the opportunity to speak with several students about how they are utilizing the spaces within the Clayton University Center. From studying to dining to working, students shared the ways in which the building supports their academic goals and enhances social experiences. In just one year since its reopening, the building has already made a positive impact and will continue to serve as a thriving hub of community for years to come. That progress and future focus can be found across many of the stories in this issue of the Alumni Bulletin. Among the pages, you’ll learn about the incredible work of faculty, students and alumni driving research momentum forward in the first year since Lehigh was named an R1 research university (page 10). From advancing infectious disease prediction to strategizing AI literacy, these Future Makers are solving challenges and developing innovations that continue to shape our world. You’ll meet Julie Wright ’25 M’26 and Rhema Hooper ’26, who received Distinguished Future Maker Awards at the inaugural Future Makers Convocation and built a friendship and record of global impact through research, advocacy and community (page 26). Additionally, you will read about the recently hired head coaches of women’s tennis, women’s lacrosse, women’s wrestling and volleyball who are bringing fresh leadership and momentum to Lehigh women’s athletics (page 30). We hope you enjoy these stories celebrating the Lehigh community and the exciting moments shaping the university’s bright future ahead. Lauren Thein Editor ANNOUNCEMENT JAMES R. MAIDA ’85 APPOINTED CHAIR OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES Lehigh recently announced the appointment of James R. Maida ’85 P’17 P’19 as chair of the board of trustees, succeeding Vincent Forlenza ’75. Maida is the president and CEO of Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), a company he founded and grew into the world's preeminent testing laboratory for the gaming industry. Maida represents the second of three generations of Lehigh graduates in his family. A trustee since 2015, he has been an advocate for Lehigh’s academic and residential mission. The Maida family's impact is visible across campus; their $5 million gift for residential housing led to the naming of Maida House, a cornerstone of Lehigh’s vibrant living-learning environment. The Maida Education Abroad Grants have opened doors for students with high financial need to gain the global perspective essential in today’s economy. Additionally, the Maidas provide scholarship support for students from a local high school with high financial need. Maida will begin his term on July 1, 2026. We invite you to read more about trustee leadership in the summer issue of the Bulletin. WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! Share your thoughts on this issue with the editor at lat624@lehigh.edu, or send a handwritten note to Lehigh Alumni Bulletin, 516 Brodhead Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18015. EDITOR’S LETTER Future in Focus GRACE ALTO ʼ 26
FROM THE NEST | SPRING 2026 | 3 ON CAMPUS Pete Buttigieg Delivers Kenner Lecture The former U.S. Secretary of Transportation gave an optimistic speech and urged attendees to imagine “what’s next.” Pete Buttigieg spoke about family, the future and finding common ground during Lehigh’s 2026 Kenner Lecture in March. Buttigieg recalled that the last time he was in the Lehigh Valley was when he served as U.S. Secretary of Transportation and delivered transportation funds plus other infrastructure resources. “It doesn’t feel like it’s been that long since I was doing that work, and yet how much has changed for our country,” he said. He noted how much has changed for him personally since leaving the Cabinet. Yet, his role as father, the most important role in his life, didn’t shift. He then drew attention toward current events. Buttigieg painted an unsettling picture of the state of America today, but asked the audience to consider, “Then what?” While acknowledging the difficulty of picturing the future when we are absorbed in the current moment, he urged attendees to imagine what comes next and compelled listeners to consider that action has to begin today. “We need a vision for government and institutions that serves people better; not just better than now, but better than before,” Buttigieg said, listing reforms and policies to tackle. To do so, “we have to be grounded in our highest principles,” he said. “We need to be grounded in the importance of the everyday, which I would argue is what all politics is actually about. And I think we need to be grounded in our regard for one another.” Buttigieg recalled his time deployed to Afghanistan, where the country’s lack of basic infrastructure and necessities are things Americans often take for granted. He said these fundamental things of everyday life are “kitchen table issues.” “I believe things would be healthier if we could build a politics of the everyday, where we all make clear what we are for and what we are against in ways that are clearly accountable to the dynamics of everyday life,” he said. Buttigieg returned to talking about his own family, remarking, “equality is very much a kitchen table issue at our house.” If it wasn’t for the landmark 2015 ruling on the 14th Amendment that granted same-sex couples the right to marry, he wouldn’t be married to his husband, Chasten, today. While it may be easy to be paralyzed by the current state of our country, he said, we should, instead, be propelled to action—conflict fuels revolution. He pointed to major historical American moments defined by revolution—the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression and the Civil Rights Movement. “When we consider those examples, we realize that our times are more precedented than we think,” he said. It challenges us to face our own times with purpose and hope, he urged, and embrace that our time requires engagement.—Hayley Frerichs CHRISTINE KRESCHOLLEK
4 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN | FROM THE NEST Gorgi Pavlov ’14 Ph.D.’18, a principal scientist at Johnson & Johnson, recently had his Lehigh journey come full circle when he returned to the university as an adjunct instructor in the department of bioengineering in the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science during the Fall 2025 semester. For Pavlov, participating in the Iacocca International Internship Program (IIIP) and interning with 3M China as an undergraduate student was a transformative experience that he has championed to students as an instructor. Shaping His Path While Pavlov was growing up in Macedonia, Lehigh was never on his radar, but fate had other plans. After hearing about the university from a friend in high school, he decided to apply and pursue a degree in engineering. Once on campus, Pavlov wasted no time building connections. It was through those relationships and the encouragement of Kemal Tuzla, a former Lehigh professor who recognized Pavlov’s curiosity and potential, that he learned about IIIP. Since 2011, IIIP has provided mostly funded internship opportunities for Lehigh students to work or do research overseas during the summer. The program provides practical work experience grounded in global context, aimed at enhancing students’ career readiness and intercultural competency. More than an opportunity to work abroad, the program represented the chance for Pavlov to apply his education on a global scale and test himself in an unfamiliar environment. The destination? China. For several months, Pavlov interned with 3M China, a billion-dollar manufacturing company, where he was embedded in high-stakes projects. He worked in the purification division, focusing on 3M LifeAssure sterile filtration membranes used in pharmaceutical manufacturing. His work involved validation testing, including bacterial retention, bubble point analysis, extractables and leachables studies, and forward flow testing—all critical quality control measures in sterile drug product manufacturing. Throughout the internship, Pavlov worked with local teams in Mandarin-supported English environments and gained firsthand insight into Chinese business culture. The experience helped shape him into a confident, capable professional. “The things I learned there I still use to this day,” Pavlov said. “I met with clients, educated them on methods, and worked internally with U.S. partners to determine the best course of action on projects. That kind of experience, especially so early in your career, can’t be understated.” Beyond the workplace, Pavlov immersed himself in the local culture. He visited historical sites, learned to navigate Shanghai's metro system and even tried soup dumplings for the first time. Leading at Lehigh At Lehigh, Pavlov founded the LU Diplomats club and earned both a bachelor’s degree and doctorate in chemical engineering. He served as the graduate student speaker at Lehigh’s 2018 Commencement ceremony. Since graduation, he’s remained deeply engaged with Lehigh as an active member of the Lehigh Alumni Association Board. As an adjunct instructor, Pavlov inA Full Circle Journey The path from Iacocca Intern to bioengineering department faculty member has been transformative for Gorgi Pavlov ’14 Ph.D.’18. By Skye Cruz CHRISTA NEU
FROM THE NEST | SPRING 2026 | 5 corporated his international experience into his biotechnology course, using examples from his internship to illustrate validation methodologies, sterile manufacturing considerations, regulatory requirements and other topics directly relevant to students pursuing pharmaceutical careers. “It’s really exciting to bring new industry information into the classroom,” he said. “Going from a student, to a Ph.D. teaching assistant, to a faculty member was a journey. It’s really rewarding to hear positive feedback from my students and watch them achieve their goals.” Much like the professor who once encouraged him, Pavlov champions IIIP as a transformative experience. Beyond sharing his own story, Pavlov actively coaches students through interviews and professional interactions, helping them prepare for both the application process and the realities of working abroad. When reflecting on the impact of the internship, Pavlov emphasized the resilience it builds. “It teaches students to work through challenges differently,” he said. “They’re in a completely different country that might be a little foreign to them at first, but they learn to adapt and apply their Lehigh education in ways that really matter.” “Lehigh and the Iacocca Internship fundamentally shaped my career trajectory,” Pavlov added. “Working on pharmaceutical-grade membrane validation at 3M gave me hands-on experience that became the foundation for my Ph.D. research and current industry work. Now, as faculty, I have the privilege of encouraging my students to pursue these same transformative opportunities. The program doesn't just teach technical skills—it builds the cultural intelligence and adaptability that define successful global professionals.” Outside the classroom, Pavlov enjoys skiing, traveling and baking. He’s even brought his love of sourdough into teaching, crafting a quiz question around the fermentation process of a starter. “Everyone's path is different,” he said. “Doing an internship is hard, and doing one internationally is even harder because of the different culture, bank accounts, accommodations, language and living in a new country. But it’s a new beginning. And once you accomplish that, everything else seems easier in comparison.” Gorgi Pavlov ’14 Ph.D.’18, who served as the graduate student speaker at Lehigh’s 2018 Commencement ceremony, spoke of the “immense honor” of addressing the graduates. Lehigh recently announced a new name for one of its leading institutes for global engagement: the Lee Iacocca Institute for Global Leadership. The updated name reflects the Institute’s evolving mission to prepare emerging leaders from around the world to address complex, multisystem, global challenges. Previously known as the Iacocca Institute, the new name marks the Institute’s evolution of scope to include the convergence of systems leadership frameworks, work-to-learn experiences and the development of a global mindset via experiential programming, applied research, living cases and service learning projects. Founded in 1988 and named for Lee Iacocca ’45, the visionary business leader, philanthropist and namesake of the Institute, the organization has long served as a hub for global learning and leadership development. Through this transition, the Institute is positioning itself as a convener of global leadership learning—bringing together students, alumni, professionals and partners to explore new ideas, share best practices and collaborate on solutions to complex global challenges. “The new name honors both our heritage and our future,” said Cheryl Matherly, vice president and vice provost for international affairs. “It signals Lehigh’s renewed commitment to developing globally minded leaders who can think systemically, act ethically and collaborate across cultures to solve real-world problems.” —Colin McEvoy GLOBAL Iacocca Institute Name Updated “THE PROGRAM DOESN’T JUST TEACH TECHNICAL SKILLS—IT BUILDS THE CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE AND ADAPTABILITY THAT DEFINE SUCCESSFUL GLOBAL PROFESSIONALS.” —Gorgi Pavlov ’14 Ph.D.’18 CHRISTA NEU
6 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN | FROM THE NEST “IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT WE CAN’T PLACE ALL OUR BETS ON THE MACHINES. ... HUMAN BEINGS ARE NOT JUST MACHINES.” —Arianna Huffington In an era defined by rapid technological transformation, few topics spark as many questions as artificial intelligence. Namely, what does AI promise for our health, our economy and the future of work? How do we balance innovation with ethics, opportunity with responsibility? This academic year, Lehigh’s Compelling Perspectives program invited three influential voices to address these questions from different vantage points: Arianna Huffington, founder of the Huffington Post and founder and CEO of Thrive Global; U.S. Senator Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania; and Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple and technology entrepreneur. Though their conversations explored distinct themes such as the human side of AI, the role of government and innovation in shaping AI’s future and how technology has impacted AI, together they offered a multifaceted portrait of the challenges and possibilities that lie ahead in a society living with AI. Compelling Perspectives, launched in 2023, is designed as a forum for thoughtful, civil discourse on critical issues facing society. This academic year, the series focus was “AI: Innovation, Responsibility and the Future We Shape.” Moderated by President Joseph J. Helble ’82, the conversations are designed to bring together speakers to explore topics from various angles, based on their expertise. Arianna Huffington’s Vision for AI and Health When Arianna Huffington visited campus in November 2025, the conversation focused on how AI can help individuals build healthier habits and improve well-being. Central to her message was the idea of “microsteps,” small, manageable changes that are realistically attainable and more likely to last. These microsteps are at the core of Thrive AI Health, a company created by the OpenAI Startup Fund and Thrive Global. The company’s mission is to use AI to democratize access to expert-level health coaching to improve health outcomes. This will also address growing Arianna Huffington discussed the human side of AI during the first event in Lehigh’s 2025-2026 Compelling Perspectives series. CHRISTA NEU Shaping the Future: AI, Humanity and Innovation Compelling Perspectives speakers share viewpoints on the challenges and possibilities of AI. By Kristen DiPrinzio, Stephen Gross and Lauren Thein
FROM THE NEST | SPRING 2026 | 7 health inequities by bringing the power of behavior change to the urgent challenge of chronic diseases. In her words, AI has incredible potential not just to scale coaching, but to empower people to understand and improve themselves. Huffington stressed that the limiting factor in harnessing AI’s power is often human nature itself: our habits, motivations and emotional lives. “It’s really important to remember that we can’t place all our bets on the machines,” she reminded the audience. “Human beings are not just machines.” During both the main event and a pre-event question-and-answer session with students, she emphasized the irreplaceability of human creativity, wisdom and ethical judgment. At a time when it’s becoming more challenging to distinguish AI-generated content from human-created content, Huffington encouraged critical thinking and the cultivation of uniquely human capacities. Senator Dave McCormick on Economy, Ethics and Leadership Transitioning to broader social and economic landscapes, Senator Dave McCormick spoke at Lehigh in December 2025 about how artificial intelligence fits into the future of innovation, energy and policy, particularly in Pennsylvania and across the U.S. A significant part of his discussion centered on Pennsylvania’s strategic strengths: robust energy production, particularly nuclear power; a skilled and experienced workforce; and proximity to major metropolitan corridors. McCormick highlighted his role in convening the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, which gathered leaders from sectors including technology, labor and higher education to explore pathways that position the Commonwealth as an AI and energy hub. With more than $90 billion in private-sector investments announced around infrastructure and workforce development, he said Pennsylvania is poised to compete globally. McCormick stressed that universities are at the center of this journey. “I don’t think it’s an accident that the greatest pockets of innovation in our country are organized around universities,” he said, noting the importance of research, talent development and interdisciplinary collaboration. Yet McCormick didn’t shy away from the uncertainties that accompany AI’s rise. He expressed concern about issues such as energy costs for consumers, potential job displacement and the need for ethical and regulatory frameworks that both protect society and preserve space for innovation. While federal guidelines and legislation are beginning to take shape, he cautioned against overregulation that could stifle progress before its full benefits can be realized. Steve Wozniak’s Tech-Informed Stance on Computers and AI Programming for the 2025-2026 academic year concluded with technology pioneer Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, whose remarks blended reflections on the evolution of computing and the future of AI. Wozniak recounted his early fascination with electronics, his collaboration with Steve Jobs and the creation of the Apple I personal computer. He spoke fondly of engineering challenges and the creativity that defined Silicon Valley’s early days, and shared stories of playful pranks that reflected his curiosity and irreverent spirit. Turning to artificial intelligence, Wozniak said AI systems analyze vast amounts of data and generate responses based on probability. Humans, by contrast, bring context, intuition and lived experience to problem-solving. “I’ve always been for the human over the technology,” Wozniak said. “As a human, you can solve things. That makes the human more important. If the technology is more important, the human has to learn all these different ways to do things to use the technology.” Together, the three speakers offered a multidimensional view of artificial intelligence, from the deeply personal to the geopolitical. The conversations reflected the series’ guiding theme: that the future of AI will be determined by the values, institutions and individuals who guide its development. President Joseph J. Helble ’82 and Senator Dave McCormick engaged in a conversation about AI innovation and the ethical and societal implications of AI. JORDAN GRUBER / CHRISTA NEU Steve Wozniak
8 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN | FROM THE NEST Your inventions, such as the Apple I personal computer, helped spur the rapid advancement of technology over the past five decades. What fostered your spirit of innovation and discovery? I had help from my father, who was an electrical engineer. I taught myself electronics by 10 years old. Nothing digital existed, so I taught myself over time… to design computers, only on paper. I could never afford a single chip, but I was lucky to grow up [in the Bay Area] where everything was moving [toward] chips that could make computers. I was in the middle of it happening. I never wanted to start an industry; I just wanted other engineers to look at my designs and say, ‘he’s an incredible engineer.’ When I graduated high school, I was going to be an engineer. When did you realize your work was not just building a company, but changing the way people live? When we started Apple, I knew that what I had come up with was five years ahead of the others, because I built what they were trying to do five years before. I showed [the Apple I] at the HomeBrew Computer Club [a late 1970s Bay Area-based hobbyist group that was a catalyst for the personal computing revolution]. Every computer before that had a front panel of switches and lights. This wasn’t affordable for a normal person. I had to somehow turn it into a computer that did something useful. They used the word computer, but it wasn’t; it was a processor. I had my typewriter and it just became so obvious to everyone. This is how we should do it. We should design a keyboard, a terminal and turn it into a computer. I passed out my designs for free to 250 members of our club and said, ‘You can build it. You want to start this revolution. Here’s a cheap, useful computer.’ No wonder that one computer was our only source of revenues for the first 10 years of Apple as we moved into the Fortune 100 and the Fortune 20. You helped bring personal computing to everyday life. As AI transforms our world today, what feels familiar and what feels entirely new to you? Computer technology helps us do more things better, faster. AI bothers me more than most advances, because [they] were tightly controlled; at least we knew how they worked. AI is not regulated at all; everybody says it should be. AI is good for collaboration. It can give you a lot of ideas. It would help if AI noted what it was trained on; it might give some clue as to bias. It should also have attributions … a better way to validate content. What do you wish more people understood about how real innovation happens? A lot of people say, follow your heart and your dreams, and you’ll get there. You’ll get somewhere, but it may not be valuable. You might achieve it someday, but that doesn’t always pan out. Luck is a very important factor. Steve Wozniak: ‘I Never Wanted to Start an Industry’ The Apple co-founder and technology entrepreneur visited Lehigh in January as a guest in the Compelling Perspectives series. He discussed the early days of personal computing, his passion for engineering, artificial intelligence and the rise of Apple. Four Questions CHRISTA NEU SCAN TO WATCH STEVE WOZNIAK AT LEHIGH
FROM THE NEST | SPRING 2026 | 9 At Lehigh’s Zoellner Arts Center, partnerships play an essential role in bringing new initiatives to life. One of Zoellner’s latest successful pioneering collaborations is its Well-Being Concerts in partnership with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, which combine music, storytelling, movement and mindfulness to reduce stress and foster resilience. Developed in partnership with Mindful Child Initiative, the wellness-focused concerts are part of Zoellner’s new Arts & Wellness Program, which integrates music, mindfulness and creative expression into the region’s health and wellness ecosystem. This community-driven model is the first of its kind in the Lehigh Valley and is being piloted in partnership with health care providers, educators, social service organizations and artists. Each Well-Being Concert, inspired by the namesake program from Carnegie Hall, creates an immersive, nurturing space in which audiences and performers share in the soul-nourishing benefits of music, create shared experiences and explore tools for well-being that last long after the performance. The hour-long events invite attendees to relax with no expectation to sit still or remain silent. Instead, the audience surrounds the musicians on stage, seated on chairs, cozy cushions or yoga mats. Hosts Khalid Taylor or Sara Jane Black lead the audience through mindfulness practices designed to open the senses and deepen connection to songs played by the musicians. After concerts, attendees have the opportunity to share their reflections and connect with others through the experience. Generous support from alumni like W. Beall Fowler ’59 P’85 P’89 GP’16, Barbara and Harvey L. York ’67 P’94 P’98 and Marcie and Glenn M. Yarnis ’80 was essential in helping the Well-Being Concerts take shape, said Mark Wilson, executive director of Zoellner. Wilson said partnerships like the Well-Being Concerts are essential to Zoellner’s work and its efforts to support the community. “I love partnerships,” Wilson said. “Zoellner Arts Center is part of Lehigh University, and Lehigh is our backbone. So whenever we are able to be a backbone for other nonprofits, that is an opportunity for us to really help the community. And so that is one of the things that we just pride ourselves in.” Looking ahead, Wilson said Zoellner hopes to open doors for others within the community to create or host similar programs and help further the goal of bettering community health. —Lauren Thein PARTNERSHIPS Zoellner Hosts Well-Being Concerts The concerts aim to reduce stress and foster resilience in the community. Popular Mechanics Mathematicians Just Figured Out How to Better Predict the Future An international team of mathematicians, led by Taeho Kim, assistant professor of mathematics, has recently taken steps to improve our ability to predict future data. Their new method is designed to make predictions that better agree with actual outcomes. MIT Technology Review The Lessons of Challenger Forty years later, Terry Hart, teaching full professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics, discusses lessons of the space shuttle Challenger and managing risk. “Spaceflight demands judgment, teamwork and an instinct for managing the unknown—traits that develop only through experience and mentorship.” PennLive Pennsylvania’s Teacher Shortage Demands We Remember Why Teaching Matters In this opinion piece, L. Brook Sawyer, professor and associate dean for graduate studies in the College of Education, discusses teacher shortages across Pennsylvania. “Solving this statewide challenge begins by reminding people why teaching matters—and why it remains one of the most meaningful, impactful careers a person can choose.” Lehigh Faculty in the Media CHRISTA NEU
10 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN R1 Excellence Meet members of the Lehigh community driving research momentum forward in the first year since the university earned R1 status. intro by LAUREN THEIN photography by CHRISTA NEU, CHRISTINE KRESCHOLLEK, DOUGLAS BENEDICT
SPRING 2026 | 11 Lehigh has a rich history of engaging in life-changing, industry-shaping research. Lehigh people have made possible critical advancements in society, from the ability to build taller skyscrapers to pioneering the use of microscopy in the analysis of materials to manufacturing the first products in space. Now, Lehigh continues to build on this momentum and growing impact of its research enterprise as it celebrates one year since achieving R1 status, a designation by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education that places the university among the top cohort of research universities in the country. Attaining R1 status is a milestone that means a university conducts a “very high volume of research” and awards a large number of research doctorates, according to the Carnegie Classification. The designation places Lehigh among the nation’s leading research universities. Lehigh is the only university in the Lehigh Valley to have the designation and one of seven in the state of Pennsylvania. The achievement was the result of a sustained and concerted effort across the Lehigh community to focus on Lehigh’s mission as a place that advances learning through research, says Nathan Urban, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. The effort was strongly supported by former Lehigh presidents Alice P. Gast and John D. Simon, and now by President Joseph J. Helble ’82. “The successful efforts to achieve this milestone are also one reason that I believe that right now, we may be at the best moment in Lehigh’s history, and that Lehigh’s future is very bright and promising,” Urban says. A key initiative in advancing research activity as part of Lehigh’s Inspiring the Future Makers strategy was the creation of three interdisciplinary University Research Centers (URCs): the Center for Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience; the Center for Community-Driven Assistive Technologies (CDAT); and the Center for Advancing Community Electrification Solutions (ACES). “Lehigh’s URCs build from existing areas of faculty expertise and seek to address some of the most important challenges facing the world today,” Urban says. The university’s economic impact on the Lehigh Valley for fiscal year 2024 totaled $1.4 billion through direct expenditures for research and development and expenditures of companies that have been supported by Ben Franklin Technology Ventures. Since becoming R1, Lehigh established a formal partnership with Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospitals, advancing the university’s commitment to health-focused collaboration, research and education. The university’s research portfolio continues to grow, spanning from technology to arts and life sciences to literature, providing a fertile ground for new ideas that can have a real impact. “Achieving R1 status is a significant milestone in the university’s growth and celebrates the brilliance and strength of individual and group research, and the depth and breadth of Lehigh’s research as a whole,” says Anand Jagota, vice provost for research. These faculty, students and alumni are among those driving Lehigh’s R1 research momentum forward, solving challenges and developing innovations that may lead to new technologies, devices, products or discoveries that continue to shape our world.
12 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN MAPPING THE MIND Haley Bennett MS’26, a master’s student in cognitive psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences, employs eye-tracking and electroencephalography (EEG) methods to investigate how the brain prioritizes information amid distraction. Eye-tracking reveals where participants look, showing what captures their focus. EEG measures electrical activity in the brain, offering insight into shifts in spatial attention. Her findings aim to reveal how spatial attention may strengthen working memory for items even after they’re no longer visible. “If we can learn how to strengthen focus and reduce the impact of distractions, we can improve learning, productivity and overall well-being,” Bennett says. “I hope my research not only advances knowledge in the lab but also provides tools people can use in their everyday lives.”—Abby Ryan Quantum computing is an emerging approach to computation that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to solve certain problems far more efficiently than classical computers— potentially reshaping what kinds of problems machines can solve at all. The idea of the quantum computer was first proposed in the 1980s and since then, it has evolved into one of the most ambitious technological races of our time. Luis F. Zuluaga, professor in the industrial and systems engineering department in the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied science, is helping advance the research that is shaping this new frontier through his work on quantum and quantum-inspired optimization methods. Unlike traditional computers, which store information in bits (ones or zeros states), quantum computers use qubits, which can exist in a superposition of both states at once. This ability to represent many possibilities simultaneously transforms the scale of what’s possible. Zuluaga’s research focuses on how these capabilities can be applied to hard optimization problems that classical computers struggle to solve efficiently. As part of Lehigh’s Quantum Computing and Optimization Lab (QCOL), he studies how to translate complex, real-world questions, like how to make a system more efficient or a decision more reliable, into forms that quantum computers and advanced classical machines can tackle. Zuluaga is part of a cross-disciplinary research team that was initially funded by a DARPA ONISQ grant and is now supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Their work spans several major challenges: developing quantum algorithms for optimization and decision-making, modeling and mitigating noise in near-term quantum devices, and designing problem frameworks that can take advantage of emerging quantum architectures. Institutions like IBM and Google are expecting quantum technologies to account for a significant share of their business within the next two decades. Hospitals have already begun investing in quantum systems for medical modeling and pharmaceutical research. The excitement, Zuluaga says, stems from possibility: quantum computing could solve problems we can barely articulate today. For Zuluaga, the field is exciting because it forces researchers to rethink the fundamentals of computation itself: what becomes possible when machines begin to operate according to the laws of nature at the quantum level. Redefining the Limits of Problem-Solving
SPRING 2026 | 13 As artificial intelligence continues to rapidly evolve and transform the way society works, learns and teaches, questions continue to arise about how to better equip students with AI literacy skills that enable them to use the technology both strategically and ethically. Juan Zheng, assistant professor of the teaching, learning and technology program in the College of Education, recently received a grant from the National Science Foundation to support her project titled, “Meta-Partner: Hybrid Intelligence for Self-Regulated Learning,” which aims to address these questions and help students become strategic AI users. Zheng is collaborating with Lehigh professors and students to develop MetaPartner, a hybrid intelligence system that helps students grow their AI literacy and self-regulation skills across all subjects through goal setting, strategy and progress monitoring, and self-reflection. Meta-Partner is a computer program platform that combines human judgment with support from an AI agent, which serves as a partner for students and helps them use self-regulated learning strategies along the way until they achieve a task at hand. Through the platform, students address a real-world problem related to AI using both their AI and subject knowledge. For example, a high school student may be asked to use machine learning to sort a list of endangered species. To solve the problem, the student receives suggestions for learning goals through Meta-Partner that they can revise based on their knowledge of the subject by conversing with the AI agent. During the process, if the student gets stuck on the problem and needs to change their problem-solving strategy, the AI agent encourages them to try new strategies to finish the task. Once the problem is solved, the student submits their own reflection and the AI agent provides additional prompts so the student can reflect more deeply on their learning. Zheng’s goal is for Meta-Partner to be implemented in K-12 and higher education classrooms to help students navigate and build confidence in their self-regulated learning and AI literacy—skills they can lean on in their future careers. “We as learners, as users, have to make ourselves ready for AI,” Zheng says. “Even with technology, you need self-regulated learning to be successful in all subjects. It is another soft skill that will help you succeed in the long term, and it will have a very long-term influence on your life as well.”—Lauren Thein Strategizing AI Literacy
14 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN In 2025, Thomas McAndrew, associate professor in the department of biostatistics and health data science in the College of Health, received an award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to research and develop a novel approach to infectious disease forecasting. He is creating an innovative tool that looks at how accurately individuals make flu predictions over time and weighing those predictions accordingly in his forecasting. Now, a seed grant from Lehigh’s Research Translation AcceLUrator (RTA), a program that helps Lehigh researchers move their innovations beyond the lab, will allow McAndrew to extend that work into a real-world application. Through McAndrew’s RTA-supported Seed Translational Research Project (STRP) “Augmenting Societal Impact with a Translation-Optimized Public Health Forecasting Platform,” he builds on his NSF-funded research and will develop a plan to commercialize DECISIONCAST, a real-time forecasting platform that helps public health officials make faster, data-driven decisions during disease outbreaks. This project builds on advances in epidemiological modeling to create a forecasting system that is optimized for translation into real-world public health practice. By combining real-time data, predictive analytics and stakeholder engagement, the platform aims to improve preparedness, reduce the burden of diseases like influenza and support coordinated responses to emerging outbreaks. A multidisciplinary team of faculty and students are supporting this project. Rochelle Frounfelker, assistant professor in the department of population health, is a co-PI. The need for more advanced, reliable technology to improve infectious disease forecasting is urgent and substantial. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, during an average influenza season in the U.S., influenza can cause hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths. Reducing influenza levels will decrease healthcare spending and greatly impact public health. During major outbreaks or pandemics, the CDC organizes an Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which coordinates global outbreak information, develops a single guided response to the outbreak and uses technology to monitor and forecast outbreak threats. The idea for DECISIONCAST is to “share opinions and data decisions at the state and local level and have your own mini emergency EOC,” McAndrew says. McAndrew’s work in infectious disease modeling and forecasting demonstrates how academic innovation can translate into immediate and meaningful impact on human health.—Katie Jones Advancing Infectious Disease Prediction
SPRING 2026 | 15 Reusing or extending the use of the products rather than disposing of them can help reduce waste and create a more sustainable world. But how do you get people to act on that? To answer that question, Ludovica Cesareo, assistant professor of marketing in the College of Business, has worked with faculty from three universities in Italy to conduct seven studies looking at whether the creativity, i.e., novelty and usefulness, of a mass-marketed product extended the time its owner kept it. Cesareo hypothesized that people keep creative products longer because they develop an emotional attachment to them. “In the marketing literature, emotional attachment has lots of positive outcomes: commitment, trust, brand loyalty, willingness to pay,” Cesareo says. In one in-person experiment, Cesareo had 245 Lehigh students bring in a T-shirt they had purchased themselves and were ready to dispose of. The students then reported on how creative they considered the T-shirt and how long they had owned it. “The higher the creativity of the T-shirt, the longer the students had owned it,” she says. In another in-person experiment, Cesareo’s research partners in Italy gave 110 university students reusable plastic cups. Some students received plain cups and others were given cups that had creative designs. Four weeks later they were surveyed on whether they still had their cups. Among the students who kept theirs, the majority had received the creative cups. Based on the findings, Cesareo says managers should invest in creativity, design more novel offerings and emphasize creativity in messaging and advertising to increase consumers’ emotional attachment to a product. “We think this work is important because a lot of the marketing research on sustainability has focused on the recycling dimension,” she says. “We look at the reuse dimension. Extending product usage is incredibly valuable because it really reduces the impact for carbon, water and waste footprints of companies.”—Margie Peterson Studying Creativity in Sustainability GENERATING ENERGY SOLUTIONS Chris Hemschot ’93 serves as vice president of development at Tenaska, a private company with operations spanning the energy value chain, where he continues to help shape the future of energy development. Hemschot became involved with Lehigh’s Center for Advancing Community Electrification Solutions (ACES) in October 2025, drawn to its mission of connecting academic research with real-world energy challenges. When ACES hosted a conference focused on data centers, he was eager to participate, offering insight earned by decades in the industry. For Hemschot, ACES represents the collaboration needed to move the energy sector forward, bringing together data, expertise and innovation to create solutions that are economically sound and community focused. Hemschot’s work, like his involvement with ACES, centers on creating practical, forward-thinking energy solutions that people and communities rely on.—Skye Cruz
16 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN Every day, the DNA in our cells that keep us alive can suffer damage from air pollution, cigarette smoke, background radiation and even routine cell division. Fortunately, our cells are equipped with sophisticated repair machinery, a suite of enzymes that detect and fix DNA damage before it leads to mutations or cell death. But this protective system can go awry. Some of the most important cancer therapies work by damaging DNA. Cancer cells will therefore hijack DNA repair machinery to fix the therapy-induced damage and resist frontline treatments. Developing innovative tools to understand exactly how cancer cells exploit DNA repair and how to turn that knowledge into better treatments is the focus of work underway by Daniel Laverty, biochemist and assistant professor of chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences. Laverty’s research creates functional assays, molecular tools that measure specific DNA repair pathways in living cells. These assays address a fundamental challenge in cancer research. DNA can be damaged in myriad ways, making it difficult to pinpoint which repair pathways are most important in a tumor. His solution is elegant. His lab creates circular DNA molecules called plasmids that encode for fluorescent or luminescent proteins. Then they introduce a specific type of DNA damage, and transfer the plasmid into human cells, where they exist separately from the cell’s chromosomes. If the DNA damage gets repaired, the cell will emit fluorescence or luminescence, providing a readout of how efficiently the cells repaired the DNA damage. Laverty’s research program has two complementary goals. First, his team investigates the fundamental molecular mechanisms of DNA repair, focusing on how cells handle double-strand breaks and a process called translesion synthesis, which allows cells to tolerate unrepaired damage and restart DNA replication. The second thrust has direct clinical implications, understanding how cancer cells develop resistance to treatment. Many cancers initially respond to chemotherapy or radiation but eventually become resistant. The ultimate goal is more precise cancer therapy. Current treatments like chemotherapy work by overwhelming cells with DNA damage—they kill cancer cells effectively but also harm healthy, rapidly dividing cells throughout the body, causing severe side effects. Laverty envisions a different approach–combining lower doses of conventional therapy with targeted inhibitors of specific DNA repair pathways. By understanding exactly how cancer cells resist treatment, and designing functional assays that can detect this resistance in real time, his work could help move cancer therapy to a precision tool.—Rob Nichols Decoding Cancer’s Resistance to Treatment | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN
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